Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson is a documentary film that gives an intimate look into the life and career of the iconic American journalist, author, and cultural icon Hunter S. Thompson, who referred to himself as the "Doctor of Journalism." The film was released in 2008 and stars Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp, and Joe Cairo as themselves.
Through a combination of rare archival footage, interviews with Thompson's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as animated sequences that capture the spirit of Thompson's writing, Gonzo offers a comprehensive and insightful portrait of a man who lived life on his own terms, and who left an indelible mark on American politics, journalism, and popular culture.
The documentary begins by chronicling Thompson's early years in Kentucky and his early experiences in journalism, including his time as a sports reporter for a local newspaper. From there, the film explores Thompson's entry into the world of political journalism, his notorious coverage of the 1972 presidential campaign, and his influential work for Rolling Stone magazine.
Throughout the film, Depp, who was a close friend of Thompson's and played him in the film adaptation of his novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, reads excerpts from Thompson's writings, which provide an evocative and immersive experience for viewers. The film also features interviews with other prominent journalists and cultural figures, including Tom Wolfe, George McGovern, and Ralph Steadman, who collaborated with Thompson on numerous projects.
One of the main themes of the documentary is Thompson's unique style of journalism, which he referred to as "Gonzo." This style involved immersing oneself in the subject matter and reporting on events from a subjective, often surreal perspective. As Thompson once explained, "the best journalism is not apathetic or objective, but rather follows the old-fashioned notion of the personal reporter who has a stake in what's going on."
Gonzo explores this approach in depth, showing how Thompson's writing was deeply rooted in his own experiences and attitudes, and how he used his articles and books to critique the political and cultural landscape of America. The film also examines Thompson's unconventional lifestyle, including his drug use, his love of guns, and his propensity for wild parties and escapades.
Despite his larger-than-life persona, Gonzo also reveals the more vulnerable and sensitive side of Thompson, showing how his work was often fueled by a sense of anger and despair at the state of the world. As Thompson once wrote, "I have spent half my life trying to get away from journalism, but I am still mired in it - a low trade and a habit worse than heroin, a strange seething despair in the pits of my stomach
